Peer Advisors as a Tool for Student
Success
Presenters:
Janelle Fritze
and Colleen Angaiak
RSS Mission Statement
Rural Student Services is committed to responding to
student needs by providing quality services to Native
and rural students who expend positive efforts in the
pursuit of higher education and its opportunities.
Our comprehensive approach is unique in recognizing
students’ efforts to develop and maintain academic
and personal balance as they contribute to the
cultural richness of the University of Alaska
Fairbanks.
Program History
• AK State Legislative Bill
Resolution #56
• Program Origination
(Student Orientation
Services)
• Troth Yeddha’
Chief Peter John
Target Population Served
• Alaska Native Students
• Rural Alaska Students
(includes first year, returning, traditional, non-traditional, 1 st Generation)
RSS Students by Region
Statistics by Ethnicity
160
140
Ahtna/Eyak 1/558
AK Eskimo 3/558
Alaska Native 11/558
Aleut 12/558
Aleut/Black 1/558
Am Indian 11/558
Asian/PI 8/558
Athabaskan 99/558
Black 3/558
Cup'ik 1/558
Eskimo 1/558
Filipino 1/558
Haida 1/558
Hawaiian Native 2/558
Hispanic 10/558
Inupiaq 94/558
Not specified 5/558
Other 3/558
PI 14/558
Polish 1/558
Tlingit 4/558
WNH 137/558
Yup'ik 134/558
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
1
RSS Comprehensive Model
Outreach
Preadvising
Community
Advising
Graduation
Academic Advisor Pre-Advising
• Community
Relationships
• Outreach to High
Schools
• Workshops and
Training
• Video
teleconferencing
Comprehensive Academic Advisor Role
• Academic Advising
• General Eds Vs. Major
Requirements
• Communicating
Opportunities
– Internships
– Scholarships
• Recommendations
• Mentor
Culturally Relevant Advising Methods
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Establishing Trust
Overcoming Assumptions
Interpretation
Understanding Knowledge
Systems
Recognizing Family
Relationships
Not at Risk but at Promise
Involved in Community
Balancing Academic
Requirements with Cultural
Values
RSS Peer Advisors History
• 1969-present
• Training
• Extended Hours
• Responsibilities
• Program Support
• Outreach
Peer Advisor Pre-Advising
• Community Relationships
• High School Student Campus Visits
– Panel discussions
– Class shadowing
Comprehensive Peer Advisor Role
• Role Model
• Pre Advising
– Connecting Students
with their advisor
– Review Course
Options
– Ordering Books
– Financial Aid
• Scholarships
• FAFSA
Peer Advisor Responsibilities
– Event Coordination
• Association of Village
Council Presidents
• Bristol Bay Native
Association
• Holidays
• Positive Connection
Nights
Peer Advisor Training
•
•
•
•
•
Active Listening
Cross Cultural Communication
Team Building
Confidentiality
General University information
Peer Advisor Program Support
• Program Support
– Tutoring Resources
– Plan and Participate in
Cultural Activities
– Develop support
materials
– Assist in compiling
statistics
– Front desk support
Peer Advisor Peer Support
• Peer Support
– Connections with
Advisor
– Connections with
Funding Agency
– Check Ins on
Regular Basis
– Academic support
connections
– Student club
support
What can a Peer Advisor do for
you?
• Increase office
productivity
• Provide more
services for students
• Facilitate
communication
• Engage in office
culture
• Develop networks
RSS Contact Information:
Phone (907) 474-7871
FAX (907) 474-6619
www.uaf.edu/ruralss
Email:
Colleen Angaiak
[email protected]
Janelle Fritze [email protected]